News | ALXnow - Part 260

Notes: WAMU speaks with Afghan refugees about new lives in Alexandria

Published January 3, 2025 at 9:20AM

Afghan families at a recognition ceremony for NOVA RAFT's summer reading program, at William Ramsay Recreation Center, Aug. 12, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

❄️ Today’s weather: Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, are expected mainly after 4pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 43. Southwest winds will reach 5-11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation and potential for less than half an inch of snow. On Friday night, snow showers are likely before 7pm, followed by mostly clear skies and a low around 26. Northwest winds will be around 15 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation and similar snow accumulation as earlier.

Forecast calls for snow this weekend in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 2, 2025 at 3:35PM

Snow on Commonwealth Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria could see snowfall this weekend, starting as early as Friday (tomorrow) afternoon.

A National Weather Service said while tonight (Thursday) will be mostly clear, there’s a chance for rain and snow showers tomorrow (Friday) starting after 1 p.m.

Alexandria’s new City Council is getting sworn in today

By James Cullum

Published January 2, 2025 at 2:40PM

The Democratic slate for City Council after the primary is (left to right) Canek Aguirre, Abdel Elnoubi, Kirk McPike, Jacinta Greene, Alyia Gaskins, John Taylor Chapman and Sarah Bagley (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s new City Council will get sworn into office today.

Here’s what you need to know about the installation ceremony.

Things To Do in Alexandria this Weekend: Jan. 3 – 5

By Ryan Belmore

Published January 2, 2025 at 1:30PM

A bird searches for snacks in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Happy New Year, Alexandria!

Here’s a roundup of all the festivities, events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this first weekend of 2025!

Man suffers felonious assault in Alexandria’s West End on New Year’s Eve

By James Cullum

Published January 2, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated January 2, 2025 at 4:46PM

A man was injured in a felonious assault in the 300 block of S. Whiting Street in the West End on Dec. 31, 2024 (via Google Maps)

A man suffered a felonious assault is his apartment on New Year’s Eve in Alexandria’s West End.

The 38-year-old victim reported to police that he was physically assaulted in his apartment in the 300 block of S. Whiting Street by a man he knows. The victim was bleeding profusely from the face when he flagged down a police officer outside the apartment building, according to Alexandria Police Department dispatches.

Notes: Alexandria Times dives into reportedly dreadful living conditions at West End apartment complex

By ALXnow.com

Published January 2, 2025 at 9:35AM

Mason at Van Dorn apartments at 140 S. Van Dorn Street (via Mason at Van Dorn/Facebook)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 40 degrees and west winds at 11 to 16 mph, gusting up to 26 mph. For Thursday night, it will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 29 degrees, and west winds at a mild 6 to 8 mph.

Street vending could be (officially) coming to Arlandria neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published December 31, 2024 at 2:45PM

Street vending on the 3800 block of Mount Vernon Avenue (image via Google Maps)

A new pilot program (item 4) will allow street venting along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood, though the staff report said the plan is to create a legal pathway for something already occurring in the neighborhood.

A new one year pilot program is headed to the Planning Commission for review on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

There’s plenty of free transportation options this New Year’s in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 31, 2024 at 1:30PM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

Put the car keys away, because there’s a number of free transportation options for partiers this New Year’s Eve in Alexandria.

Metro trains and buses throughout the region are operating fare-free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Smart watches banned in ACPS as School Board tightens grip on personal mobile devices

By James Cullum

Published December 31, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated December 31, 2024 at 1:50PM

People on smartphones (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria kids with new smart watches won’t be able to wear them when they get back to school from winter break.

The School Board recently approved tightened guidelines on the use of wireless connected personal mobile devices within schools. The Board essentially banned cell phone and tablet use at the beginning of this school year, and the new regulations align more closely with a July executive order from Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Notes: Alexandria-based car dealership group sued by FTC for alleged deceptive practices

By ALXnow.com

Published December 31, 2024 at 9:45AM

Lindsay Lexus in Alexandria (image via Lindsay Lexus/Instagram)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and thunderstorms from 1pm to 4pm, followed by possible thunderstorms after 4pm, with a high near 58. Morning east winds will shift southeast at 6-11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. An 80% chance of precipitation brings less than 0.1 inches of rain, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Tuesday night sees storms before 10pm, a slight chance of showers until 1am, a low of 42, and west winds at 9 mph. New Year’s Day will be mostly sunny with a high of 48, breezy west winds at 11-20 mph, and gusts up to 34 mph.